The Legal Cheek View
York Law School’s pathway into practice centers on a new LLM in Professional Legal Practice (SQE1 & SQE2), which packages preparation for both SQE stages with practice-focused options. The course draws on York’s problem-based learning model with market rate fees for the one-year full-time programme. York also integrates SQE content at module level (for example, dedicated SQE1 “Functioning Legal Knowledge” modules) and has partnered with The College of Legal Practice to use its SQE preparation materials.
For conversion, York now offers a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) aimed at non-law graduates who want the foundations of English law and a bridge to SQE-focused study. In addition, the School runs a Graduate LLB: Professional Law and SQE route that lets graduates earn an LLB while preparing for both SQE1 and SQE2 within the degree structure.
At undergraduate level, the flagship LLB Law retains the School’s hallmark small-group, problem-based approach and contextual study of law. The wider LLM portfolio remains research-led but practically inflected, with the School emphasizing teamwork in student “law firms” and experiential learning through the Baroness Hale Legal Clinic. York does not list an in-house Bar Practice Course; bar-bound graduates typically complete the academic stage at York and progress to BSB-authorised providers elsewhere for the vocational component.
York’s offer is solicitor-facing and skills-heavy, with clear SQE pathways (LLM Professional Legal Practice and Graduate LLB) and a homegrown GDL to on-ramp non-law graduates, plus clinics and PBL to underpin readiness for practice.